Border Patrol seeks community help as smugglers damage rental properties

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- U.S. Border Patrol agents in El Paso want the community to report stash houses as smugglers damage rental properties.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, El Paso Sector human smuggling teams discovered 281 stash houses and more than 3,655 migrants hiding within during Fiscal Year 2023.

Geslaine Nevarez, owner of a short-term rental property, told ABC-7 her home experienced damages totaling around $15,000 after smugglers used her house as a stash house.

“We were made aware the door locks were changed. They had to break the garage door and enter through the garage to take out mostly men and children that were pulled out of the home,” said Nevarez.

Damages caused by smugglers to these short-term rental properties often include large amounts of trash left behind, broken windows and furniture, and the use of narcotics inside the properties.

Claudio Herrera, with U.S. Border Patrol, says there are some precautions short-term rental owners can take when renting these properties to individuals.

“Pay special attention to anybody that is coming to rent your properties, be aware of the situation, have a proper communication with your neighbors, be in contact with other people that are be around your property, locate some cameras outside your property so you can know who is coming inside your property,” said Herrera.

To report any suspicious activity you can call 1-800-XSECTOR.